Hey guys! Happy Monday morning. At least it’s definitely happy for me because I’m enjoying a 3-day weekend in my PJs on my couch! I have today off because I’m working this weekend…. definitely appreciating another day to get some R&R.
This weekend was just what I needed after a long and stressful week last week. Here’s a recap:
Friday: Great start to the weekend
My car has seemed like it was driving funny (a little slow to accelerate) for the past few weeks. I got it checked out on Friday at my usual car place (just recently got all new tires there). I honestly cringed at the thought of taking it in because I had no idea if or what was wrong with it or how expensive it would be.
The owner of the car place personally drove it himself, looked at everything and even hooked it up to his diagnostic computer to check things out. Not only was everything fine with my car, but he came out and talked to me when I picked it up AND didn’t charge me anything.
I told you guys that I moved to a tiny town outside of the city earlier this year. While there are drawbacks at times, stuff like this makes me appreciate a simpler way of living. Things like this happen all the time. It was a great way to start the weekend!
5K
At the last minute on Friday, I offered to volunteer at a race sponsored by the local running store. Our hospital mans the booth at the finish line handing out water and food and they were short on volunteers. I didn’t have any plans so I figured, why not?
The weather was pretty much perfect for an August evening… no rain, not too hot. I tried someone’s neem oil (an essential oil) after they told me it is used to repel mosquitos… and it worked! I h.a.t.e. the smell of OFF so I was happy to learn this. You should try it out sometime! It smells kind of like Christmas.
I chatted with one of my coworkers about my knee (he knew the backstory) and he suggested that when I’m ready to try running to try trail funning first. I don’t know why I never thought of this but I am within 15 minutes of some *amazing* trail running sites. Now I’m kind of exciting. Who wants to come with me? 
It was fun watching all of the runners cross the finish line. My job was to fill water cups… turns out that gets pretty intense around the 35-minute mark!
My favorite part of the night was watching an older gentleman cross the finish line at the very end of the race. It had been almost an hour and he was the 2nd-to-last finisher. Many people would be disappointed in that situation but he was SO excited, pumping his fists and smiling. Just a reminder that we are all running our own race.
Farmer’s Market
Per usual, I hit up the local farmer’s market for some produce on Saturday morning. By the way, how cute is this little market?
My veggies for the next few days:
I think some of the farmers consider me a regular now, and I’m cool with that! One wanted to know how I liked the yellow watermelon, and tried to persuade me to get some type that is really light pink on the inside. I stuck with my usual this week… I have a hard time stepping out of my comfort zone when it comes to watermelon!
Middle Eastern Lunch
Then I met my friend Courtney for lunch at Le Kebab. If you are looking for a good middle eastern restaurant in north Charlotte then you need to check this place out! So good. I always get the pick 3 appetizer and go with the hummus, grape leaves and falafel. Any Saturday that involves falafel is good in my book.
Courtney is a fellow RD and we talked about things like tube feedings over lunch. We are cool like that. We also had a discussion about how I hate taking pictures of myself for this blog. So I guess the picture of my food is all you’re getting there, haha.
Closing a Chapter
After lunch, I had to stop by my old apartment. My ex had still been living there but recently moved, so I had to get a few of my things before the apartment officially became vacant. I have been doing pretty well dealing my divorce, so I was kind of surprised at how weird this felt. Everything from pulling up to the apartment, going inside and leaving for the last time just made me kind of sad.
It’s hard when life doesn’t work out the way you thought it would.
But as I was sitting in traffic, my favorite song came on the radio and I saw a huge rainbow in the sky. I know it sounds corny but I thought of it as a sign that there are better things to come.
Weekend Workouts
My workouts really fell to the wayside this week with all of the vertigo stuff. Each day has gotten better though, and I was able to get back in the swing of things this weekend.
On Saturday morning, I went to the gym for some strength training. I did my usual: warm-up on bike, 3 sets of 10 on all of the leg machines, wall sits, and lunges. My strength training routine has been going very well, and it’s the 1 thing that I try to consistently do regardless of where I’m at physically. I’m able to do more and more without modifications and increase my weight a little bit. My leg also feels stronger.
I mustered up the courage to try out my bike on Sunday. I’m only having slight equilibrium issues when I lean down, so I felt like riding was safe at that point. I don’t even know where to start with telling you about my rider other than to say it was completely awesome. I usually reach a point on a ride when I know I need to start taking it easy and turn around… not this time! I really pushed myself, rode fast, and even climbed a bit.
It has been a few weeks since my final dry needling session and I really wondered how my knee would do moving forward. I have been pleasantly surprised that things continue to progress and improve. With each good workout and ride, I feel like I’m getting more and more of my life back. It makes me so happy!
Refinishing Furniture
I think this post is getting long enough so I will not bore you with the rest of the details about my Sunday… except to tell you that I refinished this end table and really love the results. Can’t wait to share it with you guys!
This Week
Today: Day off! Woop! Trying to take care of food prep stuff so I can have meals on hand for the week.
Workouts: Today is another leg weights day and tomorrow is rest. Hopefully this leftover vertigo stuff will have completely resolved after that because I have not seen the pool in over a week.
To-Do List: I have a lot of dietitian-related stuff that needs to get done. I’m trying to get things in order to go to FNCE this year, I have to renew my CDR certification and I have yet to re-join the local dietetics association. Ugh, I still need to put together that damn Ikea dresser. Questioning why I ever bought that thing!
What did you do this weekend?
What’s coming up for you this week?
Anyone else going to FNCE this year?
Be Thankful
Rest in Peace, Friend
Weekend Recap & Meal Planning
The Girl Who Played with Fire
Looks like a really nice long weekend! I think you are right about that rainbow for sure!
Hope you have a lovely week… love the Queen Anne table! We had Queen Anne in our house too.
Thanks, I had fun transforming it into a more modern piece :)
Yeah I need to get on track for FNCE planning too… sounds like a solid weekend… I’ve always wanted to volunteer for a race since I really appreciate all the volunteers that help me when I’m racing…
If you are definitely going to FNCE then let me know! I am going by myself so would love to meet up with people. The early bird deadline ends Aug 21st.
Now I want some falafel! And it’s only 7 am!
Volunteering from time to time is so much fun, isn’t it? My husband announces races and I frequently get called upon to help out at the last minute when they’re short of volunteers. And as a former race volunteer coordinator, I know how vital volunteers are to the success of any race.
I did have a good time. I was also nice to get to know coworkers from other departments that I normally don’t see or talk to.
It sounds like you had a productive weekend! I am totally a believer in signs – so I agree that the rainbox/your favorite song was a positive one! I find DIY very therapeutic, especially when it’s easy on the budget. I’m looking forward to seeing the transformation!
I also think DIY is very therapeutic :) I am really awful at refinishing furniture because there are so many steps, but I have been using chalk paint this time around. It eliminates the need to strip the furniture first and I just really love the results.
Isn’t it funny when life just seems to give you a reason to smile when you need it the most? Nothing too crazy this week – just hoping to adjust back to the real world after some much needed time off. Hope you have a fabulous week and I can’t wait to see the results on that end table!
It looked like you had a nice vacation! It always takes me a day or two to get back into the groove of things after coming back from vacation. Have a good week as well!
it’s fun and interesting to be on the other side of the water stop sometimes. Totally different perspective on things. Looks like a fun busy week!
Yes, it definitely was very interesting! We had a table full of water cups and we kept it pretty full. But then we got this huge rush of finishers and all of the cups were gone at once.
What a super busy weekend! I love visiting the farmers market and have been soaking up every moment of local produce. Also, isn’t it just the best when you feel like your car place is actually there to help you and not rip you off #winning for sure!
sounds like a phenomenal weekend!! that’s awesome about the car dealership. My guys hook me up all the time and I’m so thankful for that because I know zilch about cars!
I also know nothing about cars!
That middle eastern plate plate looks delicious! I had a “shawafal” bowl at at food festival yesterday, and it reminded me how much I love those flavors and spices.
I definitely think that rainbow was a sign of better things to come! I’m a big believer in “signs”. Looks like overall, it was a good week for you!
That rainbow is definitely a sign of better things to come your way!
Sounds like a great weekend! I can’t wait to see how that table turns out!
It turned out so well! Can’t wait to share it with you guys.
I can’t believe that you all are moved out and done. That really is insanity to me. But here’s to so many happy and healthy and empowering days to come filled with love and all the goodness. And food :D
Let’s hope so!
I can just feel the positive vibes you have going through you! Moving on and moving up- it is all we can do. The Greek food looks too good- I will have to check out the restaurant.
I am hoping to get a student scholarship for FNCE this year, but who they select is totally random (basically draw names), so I don’t know for sure if I will get to go. Fingers crossed!
I will keep my fingers crossed for you! Let me know if you end up going. When do you find out?
Not sure exactly- I think towards the end of August/beginning of September. I am going to shoot you an email this morning!
Did you email me? I never got if it you did!
That meal looks awesome… and those veggies too. how do you cook your okra? I am sorry that made you sad- it will get better, I promise.
I’ve never cooked fresh okra before but I’m planning on roasting it!
I’m so glad your knee is feeling better AND that you have beautiful trails waiting for you when you’re ready. Good on you for volunteering at that race. Volunteers are so needed and appreciated. Looks like a fun weekend overall!
Yes, definitely!
I love weekends like this that don’t seem rushed or jam-packed full of stuff. It sounds like it was just what you needed before heading into the week ahead. I can only imagine how awkward it was returning to your old apartment, but that is pretty spectacular that your favorite song came on and a beautiful rainbow appeared on your return home. It all means something, right? You seem to be doing really well and staying positive through it all – that is commendable!
Thanks, Kristen :) Sometimes you just have to keep on keepin’ on.
I’ve never volunteered at a race unless you count the times I pace my husband in an ultra. I really should look for an opportunity to volunteer.
It was fun! And it also made me appreciate what goes into setting up a race :)
Seems like you had an interesting and productive week. Those okra look so good and firm from the Farmer’s Market I am just jealous. I have to admit. My workouts last week went good and I did not work out all weekend long. I tend to do that now not sure what changed. LOL. My kids love spotting rainbows from the car. They are so pretty amidst all the traffic.
Our farmer’s market is so great here! Honestly, grocery store produce does not appeal to me nearly as much anymore because it just doesn’t look (or taste!) as good.
The rainbow always manages to spread so much cheer all around. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, I love rainbows!!
I need to find that essential oil you’re talking about bc during my XC practices I get swarmed by gnats. Every where we practice there are so many gnats, blegh. Thanks for the tip!
The girl swore by this oil! I used it and it smelled like cinnamon… didn’t get touched by a bug all night!!
I’m a believer in the message of rainbows and things will continue to look up for you… Frankly, you shared three very inspiring stories in this post so, you will thrive. Keep going and running your race! :-)